Ange Postecoglou has explained why Micky van de Ven is not in the Tottenham squad for their Premier League trip to Brentford.
Van de Ven returned against Elfsborg on Thursday after a long period out with his latest hamstring injury.
The Dutch defender played 45 minutes before he was taken off in a pre-planned half-time substitution.
But Van de Ven was missing when the Spurs squad was named at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the game, Postecoglou said: “We're just trying to manage his minutes.
“It is a quick turnaround and I spoke with the medical team and Micky, we’ll just keep him on ice this week, give him another week of training to be hopefully be ready for next week.”
Spurs have a big week coming up, with the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Liverpool on Thursday before an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Aston Villa next Sunday.
Both games could be crucial to Postecoglou’s future, with Spurs languishing down in 15th place in the Premier League and their season now resting on the cup competitions.
Without Van de Ven and with Radu Dragusin now sidelined with a knee injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season, Archie Gray partnered Ben Davies at centre-back against Brentford.
Spurs completed the signing of centre-back Kevin Danso in a £20.9million deal from Lens on Sunday morning but he was not signed in time to face the Bees.
